Open Access
Tratamiento de agresores contra la pareja en programas de atención a drogodependientes: un reto de futuro
(Sociedad Científica Española de Estudios sobre el Alcohol, el Alcoholismo y las otras Toxicomanías, 2011) Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; López-Goñi, José Javier; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia
Existe una relación muy estrecha entre el consumo de sustancias (alcohol y otras drogas) y la violencia hacia la pareja. Los estudios llevados a cabo con hombres maltratadores y con pacientes adictos muestran una alta comorbilidad entre ambos fenómenos. Sin embargo, hasta la fecha han sido muy escasos los programas de intervención con maltratadores que se han aplicado en el ámbito de las drogodependencias. En este artículo se propone, en primer lugar, la necesidad de detectar los casos de violencia contra la pareja que aparecen camuflados bajo un problema de consumo de drogas. En este sentido, es necesario llevar a cabo estudios que determinen la tasa de prevalencia de agresores contra la pareja entre los usuarios de los programas de tratamiento para el abuso de sustancias, así como conocer las características específicas de este tipo de pacientes. En segundo lugar, una vez detectados los agresores, se podrían desarrollar programas específicos para el tratamiento simultáneo de ambas problemáticas (adicción y violencia hacia la pareja). Se han llevado a cabo algunos estudios con tratamientos conjuntos de la adicción y de la violencia de pareja. Los resultados obtenidos son esperanzadores y muestran que los programas de intervención con adicciones pueden ser un marco útil para aplicar también, en los casos necesarios, un tratamiento específico para aquellos adictos con un problema asociado de violencia contra la pareja. Se comentan las implicaciones de todo ello para la práctica clínica y para las investigaciones futuras.
Open Access
Gender differences in unidirectional and bidirectional intimate partner violence in addictions
(Taylor & Francis, 2019) Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; López-Goñi, José Javier; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Haro Escribano, Begoña; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Background: Few studies have analyzed the specific characteristics related to uni/bidirectional intimate partner violence (IPV) in patients with addiction problems. Knowing the specific profiles of these patients would allow the development of effective tailored interventions. Objective: This study assessed gender differences in unidirectional and bidirectional IPV among patients undergoing drug addiction treatment. Method: We sampled 122 patients (91 male and 31 female) who sought treatment in an addiction treatment center, and collected cross-sectional self-reported data on violent behaviors (physical, sexual and psychological violence), sociodemographic factors, distorted thoughts about women and violence, impulsiveness, and anger. Results: Ninety-one percent of participants reported experience of IPV (any type and any direction). Sixty-three percent of participants reported bidirectional violence, which was more common among women (83.9%) than men (56.1%). Unidirectional (perpetration only) IPV was reported in 28.7% of participants, and it was more common among men (34.1%) than women (12.9%). No one reported unidirectional (victimization-only) IPV. When only physical and/or sexual violence was considered, bidirectional violence affected 32.0% of the sample; 23.8% were only victims, and 3.3% were only perpetrators (all of them men). Participants who reported bidirectional violence had higher scores for impulsiveness, anger, and distorted thoughts. Conclusions: Bidirectional IPV is commonly reported among patients seeking treatment for addiction, particularly among women, and should be considered in future research and clinical practice.
Open Access
Differential profiles of drug-addicted patients according to gender and the perpetration of intimate partner violence
(Elsevier, 2015) Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; López-Goñi, José Javier; Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia
This study explored the differential profiles of drug-addicted patients according to gender and the perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV). Methods: The study assessed a sample of 127 drug-addicted patients (84 male and 43 female) who sought treatment. Information about socio-demographic and consumption characteristics, IPV, psychopathological symptoms, personality characteristics and maladjustment variables was obtained. Four groups were created according to gender and the presence or absence of the perpetration of IPV: a) men with IPV (n = 41), b) women with IPV (n = 29), c) men without IPV (n = 43), and d) women without IPV (n = 14). The four groups were compared in terms of all of studied variables. Results: There were significant differences between the groups in the severity of the addiction and personality characteristics. In general, the drug-addicted patients with associated IPV perpetration exhibited greater scores for nearly all of the studied variables, independent of gender. Moreover, the differences among groups were more strongly related to perpetration of IPV than to the gender of the patients. Conclusions: According to the results obtained, treatment programs for drug addiction are a suitable context for identifying the presence of IPV, but IPV is typically unnoticed in addiction treatment programs. The implications of these results for future research and clinical practice are discussed.
Open Access
Assessing risk markers in intimate partner femicide and severe violence. A new assessment instrument
(SAGE Publications, 2009) Echeburúa, Enrique; Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Corral, Paz de; López-Goñi, José Javier; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia
The aim of this study was to develop a new assessment tool to predict intimate partner femicide and severe violence. The sample for this study consisted of 1,081 men who were reported to the police station (Basque Country, Spain), because of having committed intimate partner violence. First, the most significant differences between the severe violence group (n=269) and the less severe violence group (n=812) in sociodemographic variables were determined. Results showed that both the perpetrators and the victims of the severe violence group had a higher rate of immigration. Second, the proposed 20-item scale derived from a larger 58-item scale, where only the most discriminative items between severe and non-severe intimate partner violence were taken into account. Psychometric properties of reliability and validity were rather good. Cut-off scores have been proposed according to sensitivity and specificity. This structured professional judgment (an easy-to-use tool) appears to be suitable to the requirements of criminal justice professionals and is intended for use as the basis of safety planning. Implications of these results for further research are commented upon.
Open Access
Efectividad del tratamiento de la violencia contra la pareja en pacientes drogodependientes
(Colegio Profesional de Psicólogos de Costa Rica, 2014) Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; López-Goñi, José Javier; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia
En este artículo se analiza la efectividad de los programas de tratamiento psicológico para drogodependientes, que presentan conductas violentas contra la pareja. Para ello, se revisan, en primer lugar, los estudios que valoran la influencia del tratamiento habitual sobre las adicciones y la reducción de las conductas violentas contra la pareja. En segundo lugar, se analizan los resultados de los programas de intervención conjunta que se han desarrollado hasta la fecha, en el ámbito internacional, en los centros de tratamiento para la adicción con drogodependientes que ejercen, además, violencia contra la pareja. Los resultados muestran, por una parte, que la intervención con pacientes adictos produce una disminución importante en la tasa de violencia contra la pareja asociada a la adicción. Por otra parte, los programas de intervención con adicciones constituyen un marco de gran utilidad para aplicar, de forma conjunta, tratamientos específicos para aquellos adictos con un problema asociado de violencia contra la pareja. Los resultados de estos programas de intervención muestran los mejores datos en la reducción de la tasa de violencia contra la pareja de los pacientes adictos. Se comentan las implicaciones de todo ello para la práctica clínica y para las investigaciones futuras.
Open Access
Impact of a court-referred psychological treatment program for intimate partner batterer men with suspended sentences
(Springer Publishing Company, 2015) Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Echauri, José Antonio; Martínez, María; Azcárate, Juana M.; López-Goñi, José Javier; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia
In this article, the impact of a court-mandated psychological treatment program for men who had committed an offense of intimate partner violence is tested. The sample consisted of 235 men who received a suspended sentence after being charged and sentenced for an offense in relation to intimate partner violence. The success rate in the posttreatment period was 37.4%, and the improvement rate was 48.1%. Therefore, in 85.5% of cases, the treatment program was effective. Results after 12 months of follow-up were almost identical. Moreover, there was a significant decrease in associated psychopathological symptoms. Regarding prediction of therapeutic results, batterers who were older, who had more distorted thoughts about violence, and who had not been victims of childhood abuse were at a significantly greater risk of treatment failure.
Open Access
Is psychological treatment equally effective for intimate partner violence perpetrators with and without childhood family violence?
(Wiley, 2020) Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Echauri, José Antonio; Siria Mendaza, Sandra; López-Goñi, José Javier; Azcárate, Juana M.; Martínez, María; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Objetivo: Este estudio evaluó la eficacia diferencial a largo plazo de un programa de tratamiento para agresores de violencia hacia la pareja (IPV),) dependiendo de haber sufrido o no violencia familiar infantil (CFV). Método: Se incluyó una muestra de 1.008 agresores masculinos en el estudio. En la evaluación pretratamiento se realizaron comparaciones entre maltratadores con CFV (n= 339) y sin CFV (n= 669) sobre características sociodemográficas y variables psicopatológicas. La eficacia diferencial del tratamiento se evaluó en el post-tratamiento, y en el seguimiento a un año. Resultados: La evaluación previa al tratamiento mostró que los agresores con CFV tenían un nivel de educación más bajo, tasas más altas de antecedentes psiquiátricos previos y el acceso voluntario al tratamiento. Además, iniciaron el programa de tratamiento con más síntomas psicopatológicos, evaluados a través del SCL-90-R y el STAXI-2. En cuanto a los resultados del tratamiento, las tasas no alcanzaron diferencias significativas entre los grupos. Las medidas repetidas ANOVA evidenciaron una mejora estadísticamente significativa en los síntomas psicopatológicos en la mayoría de las variables para ambos grupos. Sin embargo, las comparaciones entre grupos sobre síntomas psicopatológicos mostraron que los agresores con CFV se vieron afectados en un grado significativamente mayor en muchas variables en el post-tratamiento y en el seguimiento, aunque no se encontraron diferencias en las tasas globales de resultados del tratamiento. Discusión: Esta investigación pone de relieve la heterogeneidad de los agresores masculinos de la IPV y la progresión diferencial a lo largo de los programas de tratamiento de acuerdo con la presencia de CFV.
Open Access
Prevalence and differential profile of patients with drug addiction problems who commit intimate partner violence
(Wiley, 2015) Arteaga Olleta, Alfonso; Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; López-Goñi, José Javier; Psicología y Pedagogía; Psikologia eta Pedagogia
Background and objectives: The objectives of this study were, first, to explore the prevalence of aggressors with lifetime intimate partner violence (IPV) among patients in the Proyecto Hombre of Navarra (Spain) addiction treatment programme; and second, to know the specific and differential characteristics of patients presenting IPV as aggressors. Methods: A sample of 162 patients (119 men and 43 women) was assessed. Data on socio-demographic and substance consumption characteristics, IPV variables, psychopathological symptoms, and personality variables were obtained. The profiles of patients in addiction treatment with and without a history of violence towards their partners were compared. Results: The results showed that 33.6% of people in treatment for addiction had committed violence against their partners. This prevalence was significantly higher (X2 = 15.6, p < .001) in women (63.3%) than in men (24.2%). In the 98.4% of the cases the IPV was bidirectional. Patients with a history of IPV perpetration showed greater severity in substance consumption variables, psychopathological symptoms, and personality traits. Gender, the family scale on the European version of the Addiction Severity Index (EuropASI), and the aggressive-sadistic scale on the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI-III) were the main variables related to the presence of IPV as aggressors. Discussion and conclusions: There was a differential profile in patients with IPV perpetration, showing more psychopathological and personality symptoms. Moreover, in this study being a woman was one of the main predictors of committing IPV.
Open Access
What differentiates batterer men with and without histories of childhood family violence?
(SAGE, 2020) Fernández-Montalvo, Javier; Echauri, José Antonio; Azcárate, Juana M.; Martínez, María; Siria Mendaza, Sandra; López-Goñi, José Javier; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Aims: The goals of this study were to explore the prevalence of childhood family violence (CFV) (both suffered and witnessed) among male batterers in treatment, and to analyse the specific psychological profile of these perpetrators with CFV. Method: A sample of 1421 men recruited from a specialized batterer treatment programme was assessed. A description of the sociodemographic, violence and psychopathological characteristics of the sample was carried out. Moreover, a comparison of all the variables studied between batterer men with and those without CFV was conducted. Findings: The results showed that 35.2% (n = 500) of the sample reported having been victims of CFV (67.2% of them directly suffered abuse, and 32.8% witnessed violence between their parents, mainly from father to mother). Batterers with CFV presented with more irrational beliefs both about women and about violence as a strategy to cope with everyday difficulties. Moreover, they had significantly higher scores than batterers without CFV on all psychopathological symptoms as assessed by the SCL-90-R, as well as on most of the STAXI-2 subscales. In the logistic regression analysis, the main variables related to having a history of CFV were low education level, voluntary access to the programme, having a previous psychiatric history, being an immigrant, having children, and presenting a greater number of psychopathological symptoms. Major implications: According to these results, batterers with CFV showed a higher severity in most of the variables studied than those without CFV. Consequently, these findings highlight the importance of tailoring batterer treatment programmes to their specific characteristics, particularly those regarding childhood victimization.